We know that the Xia Dynasty is recognized as China’s first dynasty, dating back to around 2070 BC to 1600 BC. However, there are archaeological sites that predate the Xia Dynasty, which appear to have controlled vast territories. These sites also exhibit a well-organized social structure and advanced technologies. They represent among China earliest civilizations and kingdoms.
When discussing early ancestors, the Chinese often begin with “The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors,” figures that they consider representative of their earliest ancestry. However, after careful consideration, I’ve decided not to elaborate on this topic in the introductory chapter. I believe that “The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors” may appear too mythical to some readers, who might argue that it is merely an oral legend rather than a part of history. I plan to explore this subject in a future article, once you have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and the historical context surrounding oral legends.
Do you know who are China earliest civilizations and kingdoms?
Now, let’s take a journey back in time to explore ancient Chinese civilization. Starting from around 10000 years ago, communities along the Yellow River were already engaged in agriculture. Approximately 8000 years ago, they began cultivating crops such as rice and corn, which provided a stable food source. This agricultural advancement allowed their social structure to shift from a nomadic lifestyle, leading to an abundance of resources that fostered the development of various skills in social, cultural, and technological areas.
Between 7000 and 4000 years ago, saw several civilizations emerge throughout China, each with a well-organized social structure and advanced technology for their time. We can refer to these communities as the early kingdoms.
Then came the Xia Dynasty, around 4000 years ago, which is regarded as China’s first dynasty. While we will cover the Xia Dynasty in a future article, today, let’s focus on the early kingdoms.
A dozen early kingdoms have been discovered in China, each unique due to the geographical challenges they faced. I avoid overwhelming my audience with an extensive list of names that might make our exploration feel dry and academic. I plan to cover the other interesting sites in future articles, possibly in an “honorable mention” edition. What say you?
Today lets focus only on two examples that are my personal favourite :
1) Liangzhu Site, Zhejiang (3300 BC to 2300 BC)
This text serves as evidence for the claim that "China has 5,000 years of history."
The Liangzhu civilization, which began over 5,000 years ago, represents one of the earliest examples of a structured society or kingdom in China. It exhibited a sophisticated social structure and a leadership mechanism capable of coordinating human resources to meet strategic needs. The efficiency of this mechanism is evident in their large-scale agriculture and ambitious construction projects, which were only possible with a significant surplus of labour and food resources.
The waterway city of Liangzhu
The Liangzhu civilization was centered around an inner-city hub that managed a vast territory through a complex network of waterways. The hub was protected by a high perimeter wall with at least nine gates, including one main gate on land and the others serving as access points from the waterways. This waterway system was utilized to transport vital goods such as food, necessities, and construction materials
The waterways were extensive and complex, suggesting they were not a natural formation. Experts have identified at least 11 dam structures within the territory, making this the largest water and flood management system of its time. The dam system, along with intentionally designed lakes, allowed for the control of water levels, ensuring optimal efficiency in transportation. Unlike Venice, which is built on water, the Liangzhu civilization was established on solid land, using canals as the primary mode of transport. Their ability to manage water resources enabled them to create new canal extensions as needed.
Liangzhu Artifacts
As a Chinese civilization, Liangzhu showcased elements such as jade and dragon motifs; indeed, over 10000 artifacts have been unearthed. These jade artifacts, presented in various shapes with intricate surface carvings, were crafted without the use of metal tools. The question remains:
How did they achieve this ?
There are pictures carved on the pottery, including a crocodile and a prawn. We can also see early forms of writing, or more accurately, symbols, though a complete writing system has not yet been developed.
Decline of an earliest civilization and Kingdom - the LiangZhu
The Liangzhu civilization lasted for 1,000 years; so far, there is no evidence of war destruction found at the site. Therefore, a pandemic may likely be the reason for their decline and eventual disappearance.
2) Taosi Ruins, Shanxi (2300 BC to 1900 BC)
The Taosi civilization is believed to have begun around 4,300 years ago and is hypothetically associated with the city of “Di Yao”. He is recognized as the Third Emperor among the “Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”
One of the most significant discoveries at Taosi is the ancient observatory. Experts have reconstructed a layout of 13 pillars arranged in a semi-circle, forming a structure with a diameter of 10.5 meters. Taosi people is able to track the movement of the sun throughout different seasons, enabling them to identify 20 out of the 24 solar terms. This precision in timing was crucial for their agricultural activities, such as soil cultivation, sowing, and harvesting.
Grand Palace City of Taosi
The Taosi site also features a well-fortified city with an inner area known as the Palace City. The outer city perimeter wall stands 6 meters tall and 8 meters wide, strategically constructed with canopies to aid in surveillance and effectively deter potential invasions.
Inside the city, there is a second perimeter wall that protects the inner Palace City. This double wall layout set a precedent that was followed by nearly all subsequent kingdoms and dynasties in China.
The Taosi site exhibits clear functional divisions, including areas designated for the palace, storage, cemeteries, observation and sacrificial rites, handicraft workshops, and residential spaces for ordinary citizens. They also utilized underground storage to keep food cool and even used ice for consumption during the summer.
The palace building measures 12 meters wide by 24 meters long, making it the largest single building of its time in China. The walls of the palace were adorned with textured patterns and paint, while the floor was finished with white lime for added aesthetics.
Taosi Artifacts
Archaeologist discovered many artifacts, including familiar items such as jade accessories and painted pottery featuring dragons. They have also unearthed a primitive bronze bell, marking the first known appearance of a bronze object in China.
Pottery with the dragon image found in Taosi, mentioned in our previous article “China First Dragon“.
One significant discovery in Taosi is a form of writing called Zhu Su, which has frequently been found on various poultry artifacts. Experts have noted similarities between Zhu Su and Oracle writing, which developed later. However, due to the limited number of examples, Zhu Su cannot yet be classified as a comprehensive writing system.
Decline of an earliest civilization ang Kingdom - the Taosi
The Taosi civilization was remarkable, but it lasted for only about 400 years before fading from history. Experts believe that its decline was due to civil war as well as competition from newer and more aggressive civilizations.
Conclusion of the China earliest civilizations & kingdoms
It is fascinating to know that these China earliest civilizations & kingdoms achieved remarkable advancements in their way of life. What is even more impressive is how the Chinese have preserved these ancient elements as part of their heritage. Artifacts such as jade, dragon motifs, and pottery are often taken for granted, yet they hold significant historical value.
We owe our ancestors a tribute and appreciation for their contributions. This archaeological information provides us with valuable insights into the ancient civilizations of China. In the upcoming articles, we will see the relationships between these early kingdoms and the dynasties that followed them.